North Buffalo Supervisors Plan Balanced Budget for 2012

North Buffalo Township supervisors hope to have a balanced budget in 2012 that includes a surplus, money reserved for a new 10-ton dump truck and the same healthcare plan with lower rates for its two employees. (KP June file photo)

by Jonathan Weaver

North Buffalo Township residents will not have to dig into their pockets any further for a second straight year.

During a preliminary budget session Wednesday, North Buffalo Township supervisors analyzed financial figures across-the-board.

Supervisor David Wolfe told the result.

“It looks like we’re going to balance the budget again, build a surplus and there will be no tax increase,” Wolfe said. “We’re paying off our truck that we just bought; we’re going to budget for next year for some road projects and budget for a big dump truck.”

Wolfe emphasized again..

“We’re going to do it without a tax increase,” Wolfe said.

Supervisors purchased a 2011 Ford F550 in the past few months to replace its 2001Dodge Ram 350. They will pursue a 10-ton truck for bigger hauling later this year.  

Wolfe estimated that the dump truck will be paid off in early Spring.

It is the second year that the Township has undergone a balanced budget and had a surplus. Wolfe said even better things are possible.

“We’re looking to hold our lines and if we continue to build budgets, hopefully we may be able to reduce our local tax

Wolfe explained a key factor in the balanced budget.

“One of the big things is we lowered our healthcare costs – we kept the same exact coverage for our employees and lowered our healthcare costs by 5.5 percent. I negotiated right with the insurance company,” Wolfe said. “They were going to get about nine percent increase and we would’ve had to change their coverage, pay deductibles and higher rates for using the benefit – we kept the exact same insurance – same level of benefits so they don’t have to pay deductibles.

“We were actually paying $15,000-something for two employees a year, and now we’re paying just under $13, 000,” Wolfe said. “We were happy with it, the employees were happy with it

The two full-time employees are members of the road crew.  

Wolfe – who has been a township resident for nine years – hopes that is one of his legacies as a North Buffalo Township supervisor and roadmaster as he pursues the race for Armstrong County Commissioner this Tuesday.

“Balanced budgets, building a surplus without raising our taxes and helping the township and our employees – I hope that’s it,” Wolfe said.

It is unknown whether there will be any more preliminary budget workshops.

North Buffalo Man Hospitalized After Garage Fire

Crews from five local fire companies responded to a garage fire in North Buffalo Township last night. The fire sent the property owner to a local hospital before being flown with second-and third-degree burns to UPMC Mercy.

by Jonathan Weaver

A North Buffalo Township property owner is in a Pittsburgh hospital following a fire in his garage last night.

James Ellwood was transported by Hose Company #6 ambulance personnel to ACMH before being flown to the Trauma and Burn Center at UPMC Mercy Hospital.

West Kittanning Fire Chief and local fire marshal Bernie Bowser, Sr. described Ellwood’s injuries.

“Mr. Ellwood sustained severe burns to his hands, arms and exposed facial areas,” Bowser, Sr. said. “Mr. Ellwood was worked on immediately upon arrival by EMS personnel at the scene, and it was determined then that he needed immediate medical attention at the burn unit.”

Ellwood reportedly suffered second-and third-degree burns.

The accidental fire broke out after 6PM at 192 Quarry Road in North Buffalo Township to the garage owned by James and Linda Ellwood. It reportedly started after a pan of gasoline flipped over inside the structure, which was destroyed.

Ford City fire crews were first on-scene and utilized a hydrant approximately 1,000 feet from garage. Entry holes were poked into the sides of the metal roof to extinguish flames. Crews were cleared at approximately 8:30PM.

“It was completely involved at the time of the arrival by the fire departments,” Bowser, Sr. said.

Bowser, Sr. explained that the structure was highly-utilized.

“It was a four-bay, single-story garage that contained six vehicles,” Bowser said.

Ford Cliff, West Kittanning, Manor Township and South Buffalo firefighters also supplied support. An engine from Kittanning Hose Co. #1 also was brought in to cover any Ford City incidents.

West Kittanning Fire Department is the primary fire department for North Buffalo Township and provides fire investigation services.

The fire marshal complimented efforts of the fire crews on-scene for containing the fire to the garage and not letting it spread to the nearby home. No heat damage was reported to the home, either.